Smart says the 2012 Electric Drive checks in at just 16,000 euros ($21,886 U.S. at the current exchange rate) in Germany before VAT (a purchase tax that ranges from 10 to 20 percent in most European countries). Don't get too excited yet, as that low-ball price doesn't include the Fortwo's battery pack, which costs $82 a month to rent from Smart.

Smart has yet to reveal U.S. pricing for the 2012 Fortwo Electric Drive, so we can't be sure if a price drop (or battery leasing) will be applied here in the States, too. Smart says it will start taking reservations for the electric Fortwo in the fourth quarter of 2011. Click here for more details on Smart's third-gen electric.

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Attractive entry into electro-mobility for less than EUR 16,000 net - The new smart fortwo electric drive: Big driving fun - small price

Sep 13, 2011

"Environmentally-friendly driving fun at a customer-friendly price" – it is under this motto that the new smart fortwo electric drive will be launched spring 2012 on more than 30 markets around the world. In Germany, it will be available to order for less than EUR 16,000 net – plus just the monthly rental fee for the battery.

"The smart electric drive is now on sale worldwide – with the fun continuing right into the price," says smart boss Dr. Annette Winkler. "The electric smart has what it takes to bring a little more quality-of-life to our cities. But a car that wants to change the world can't cost the earth. For this reason, we are offering the new electric smart within our sale&care model for considerably less than EUR 16,000 before tax – plus less than EUR 60 per month for battery rental. Anybody wishing to buy or lease the vehicle with the battery can, of course, do that, too."

If you want to be there from the start – register online!
Starting right now, interested parties can complete a no-obligation registration process on www.smart.com to be kept up-to-date with the latest information about the new electric smart. Those who would like to be among the first owners of the new third-generation smart fortwo electric drive will have the opportunity to reserve one online as of the fourth quarter 2011.

The third generation can do everything better
The further developed third-generation drive technology delivers 100 percent driving fun with zero emissions. The 55 kW electric motor now breaks through the 120 km/h mark, ensuring that the feel-good factor on the urban autobahn is now the same as the one that kicks in within 5 seconds of sprinting away from the lights. That is how quickly it now accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h. And thanks to 130 Newton meters of torque, the new electric smart is now more responsive at higher speeds – and accelerates from
0 to 100 km/h in less than 13 seconds.

The new smart fortwo electric drive exceeds its popular predecessor in every regard. It has more range – considerably more than 140 kilometers – enabled by the new lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 17.6 kWh that comes for the first time from Deutsche Accumotive. Morever, charge time has been significantly shortened. Completely empty, the battery can be fully recharged at a household outlet or charging station in a maximum of eight hours – or overnight, if you will. It can be done even faster – in less than one hour – with the optional rapid charge function using a 22 kW on-board charger.

"The smart fortwo has excelled itself. It was already the pioneer in urban mobility and, with the new electric drive, is now once again setting benchmarks with even more driving fun and environmental compatibility," says Dr. Annette Winkler. "The much-quoted electric era is now definitely upon us." As a result, production at the smart factory in Hambach, France has already been ramped up to a five-figure volume.

Travel in Germany complete CO2-free
"Furthermore," adds Dr. Annette Winkler, "we will ensure that our customers will be able to drive the new electric smart in Germany completely CO2-free. We will – with no prompting from the renewable energy law – make available the same amount of 'green' electricity as that consumed by all third-generation smart fortwo electric drives sold."
Two generation of the smart fortwo electric drive in comparison

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For 86 mile range costing $532 per month for 6 years ($31,920 loan life), including interest, tax, and battery. Heck no. For $532 I could drive 1000 miles per month in our suv, or 1300 miles per month in our HHR with 4 people in either one. With gas at $10 per gallon. We do not drive that much per month, we only drive about the 1000 give or take 100 mles with both vehicles. We also do not have to worry about range, or having to drop a long cord full of electricity onto the yard over a sidewalk, and wait 8 hours for it to be charged again. Oh wait that is faster if you get the big built in charger that will also raise the price even more, not to mention the $3000 to get the 3 phase run to the house, so now you are looking at about 40K. Plus remember this is just a Smart. We would save about $8800 per loan like to keep what we have with gas at $10 per gallon. So my argument is why pay that much to have a car that you can not use when you already OWN two that do everything you need them to do?

You're not buying a new car, so car companies don't really care what you think (and it's not really that interesting to other readers). Buying a new economical car doesn't pay for itself, even buying second hand it's hard for the math to pencil out. As for a plug-in car, your lukewarm interest puts you at the back of all the buyers who value not burning gasoline more than you.

So for this thinng to make since you must be a tree hugger. Well it still does not. I thought electric vehicles were to save us money not cost us 3-10 times more. I would buy a new car if any were worth it but there is not, nd electric is the farthest away that I would consider because of selling price.

Anonymous

3 Years Ago

The high cost is due to battery prices. Early adopters are going to pay. With mass acceptance EV's will be cheaper than ICE counterparts. Why? Because, they are inherently less complex, and more efficient.

Beaverton Oregon had two of these on there lot 3 months ago. MSRP was 48k dollars and the dealer wanted 52k dollars for them. Maybe the Germans are finally pulling there heads out on the Smarte. If driven 1,300 miles the cost will be approx 117 dollars per month for battery rental and electricity here in Oregon not bad. You are coming along EV's at least in Europe. Of course Germany pays much more for electricity than Oregon, approx 45 cents per kw according to David Martin. Michael Walsh, 12 seconds is what my car is rated 0-60 believe it or not I have no problems merging or other in traffic. I test drove a Smarte and a Leaf, they are not that much different in acceleration IMO.

It shouldn't cost a penny more than the gas version if the battery is included since an EV motor & controller should be no more expensive than a gas engine, transmission, exhaust, fuel system. I suspect that purchase price includes some of the battery cost.

Dude! No way! I've driven both too, and the LEAF leaves the Smart in the dust (and you don't even have to be trying!). I was mashing the pedal into the floor when following a LEAF driven "normally" from every stoplight! Now, this was from a gen 2 ED, and I've yet to be given the keys to a gen 3, so I can't speak to any improvements with the new one.

"22 kW on-board charger"!!? That's impressive, more than the Tesla Roadster's 16.8, and it's more than SAE J1772 level 2 supports (19.2 kW max). So this probably uses the IEC 62196.2 VDE-AR-E 2623-2-2 "Mennekes" plug and 400V 3-phase power. I'm still dubious about the Mennekes plug as it doesn't (yet) get you to DC fast charging, but at least its power advantage is moving from theoretical to real.

Anonymous

3 Years Ago

If EV's are within your train of thought and you believe in reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution etc., the Smart ED 2012 is a major step in the right direction. Compared to an SUV or anything else is still like apples and bananas. EV's are a lifestyle choice and a preference first - and economy will follow. First it is much cheaper per mile. Second, the ownership cost over time will come out to be a major advantage for EV's, but we are still at the beginning of ownership of real EV's. I have driven the second generation Smart ED 10.000 km's at this point over the course of one year and it is steady and reliable as I would expect from a Daimler automobile product. The three-phase 400V and 22 kW option for charging will make the Smart ED 2012 fully charged in less than one hour. Currently, I admit the charging times with 240V and single phase is not very user friendly. The ability to spread the charging over 3 phases is an important buffer for the grid. You will get there too in the US - eventually :-) You'll have to simply because it will extend the grid capacities as EV's prliferate. The price drop is a major indicator of what is to come - it is a great sign. Thank you Daimler!